Hi there!

I came to Kith in 2024 to work alongside Lorna and Simon. This land and our way of learning has given me so much - it makes me happy every day, it reconnects me with my environment and it's nurtured my growth as I've become a friend and mentor to a fantastic group of children. I am always grateful.

As a writer, I've enjoyed so many voyages of imagination here at Kith in stories, games, poems and more. I am also no stranger to the joys of working the land, and since being here I have learned so much more: to recognise birdsong, to identify trees, to build structures and to cook all sorts of things over the flames of a campfire.

I am carer for my two step-children, who are autistic and learning disabled. My two boys are outdoors creatures to their bones, and I am indebted to all the berry picking, river splashing and moss patting we have done togther. It is clear that being in touch with our natural surroundings helps us stay in touch with ourselves.

When new adventures came calling for our founding family, I was given the opportunity to take over the Learning Community, which I did at the start of 2026. I'll be honest: it was scary! Following in the footsteps of my own mentors was intimidating and being trusted with this amazing community they have built was humbling. But excitement and trust in myself won over and Kith is now enjoying a brand new era.

This change (and my fears!) made me reflect on our practice here. We give children the space to understand themselves. We don't rush them, or ask them to do things they don't want to do. We encourage them to follow their hearts and feeling empowered in who they are. We give them opportunities. Sometimes opportunities are scary. But we can surprise ourselves. When we are understood and empowered, we can grasp those opportunities and achieve beyond expectations.

I am no different to the children in our Learning Community. I wouldn't want to be.

I cannot wait to see everyone who comes to us grow in the fertile soil of Kith Homestead.

Ben

(my pronouns are they/them)